Testing Guidance

·         Test results must be submitted to testresults@ssdhds.org and will be kept confidential.

·         Only PCR test results will be accepted as valid. 

·         Health plans are required to cover COVID-19 tests at no cost to the enrollee. It is recommended that you first contact your healthcare provider for a COVID-19 test.

·         If you are unable to get a test from your healthcare provider, the County of San Diego (County) has coordinated free diagnostic COVID-19 testing at many locations. These tests take about 5-10 minutes, although with rising COVID cases, wait times can be a few hours long. Results generally come back in approximately 3-5 days.

·         For children, it is first recommended that you contact your healthcare provider or pediatrician.

• Most children, youth, and their caregivers can receive testing through the COVID-19 Collaborative for Children in partnership with Rady Children's Hospital. Contact your Rady pediatrician or e-mail covidcollaborative@rchsd.org for more information. 
• Children, youth and caregivers covered by Kaiser Permanente should consult with their pediatrician or physician provider directly, or through www.kp.org.

·         If you are unable to get a test for your child from your healthcare provider, children 6 months and older are able to be tested at any County-coordinated test site.

• Most testing locations do not require an appointment. Please see the County Testing Location and/or County Testing Schedule for location-specific details.